Published: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 3:42 p.m.

Trina Vazquez moved through the Council on Aging offices Thursday like a veteran who knows every nook and cranny. As she emerged through the doors where Meals on Wheels volunteers were loading vehicles, the council's new executive director stopped to greet a driver.

Her energy was contagious as she talked to staff and greeted volunteers. The 29-year-old has been on the job for a little over a week and is happy to be in the nonprofit world.

“I've always had a passion for nonprofits,” Vazquez said, leaning forward behind her desk in her new office in Hendersonville.

Vazquez has spent the last seven years at South College in Asheville. The Asheville native started out as an admissions counselor after graduating from the University of North Carolina in Asheville with a degree in mass communications.

While working at the college, Vazquez began working on her master's in Business Administration. She completed that in 2012 and moved to Hendersonville seven months ago.

Board member Kevin Parries reached out to her about the job after Director Karen Smith announced her retirement. Vasquez met the board, had an interview and it “all fell together,” she said. Vazquez became the new director on July 15.

“She brought a wealth of experience and knowledge,” Parries said. “We're very pleased to have her as a part of our organization.”

Vazquez said she's excited to be part of a nonprofit community that works together. She is also thrilled to be leading a new era at the Council on Aging.

“The organization is ready for change,” she said. “I'm excited to be a part of that.”

Her focus will be on volunteer recruitment and increased marketing and visibility for the nonprofit's thrift stores. She's going to focus on fundraising and events, including an Empty Bowls event Sept. 28.

Vazquez is going to examine partnerships within the construct of the council's mission, which is “to provide and coordinate services to keep older adults living independently.”

“At the end of the day, we're here to serve the aging population of Henderson County,” she said.

<p>Trina Vazquez moved through the Council on Aging offices Thursday like a veteran who knows every nook and cranny. As she emerged through the doors where Meals on Wheels volunteers were loading vehicles, the council's new executive director stopped to greet a driver.</p><p>Her energy was contagious as she talked to staff and greeted volunteers. The 29-year-old has been on the job for a little over a week and is happy to be in the nonprofit world. </p><p>“I've always had a passion for nonprofits,” Vazquez said, leaning forward behind her desk in her new office in Hendersonville.</p><p>Vazquez has spent the last seven years at South College in Asheville. The Asheville native started out as an admissions counselor after graduating from the University of North Carolina in Asheville with a degree in mass communications.</p><p>While working at the college, Vazquez began working on her master's in Business Administration. She completed that in 2012 and moved to Hendersonville seven months ago. </p><p>Board member Kevin Parries reached out to her about the job after Director Karen Smith announced her retirement. Vasquez met the board, had an interview and it “all fell together,” she said. Vazquez became the new director on July 15. </p><p>“She brought a wealth of experience and knowledge,” Parries said. “We're very pleased to have her as a part of our organization.”</p><p>Vazquez said she's excited to be part of a nonprofit community that works together. She is also thrilled to be leading a new era at the Council on Aging. </p><p>“The organization is ready for change,” she said. “I'm excited to be a part of that.”</p><p>Her focus will be on volunteer recruitment and increased marketing and visibility for the nonprofit's thrift stores. She's going to focus on fundraising and events, including an Empty Bowls event Sept. 28. </p><p>Vazquez is going to examine partnerships within the construct of the council's mission, which is “to provide and coordinate services to keep older adults living independently.”</p><p>“At the end of the day, we're here to serve the aging population of Henderson County,” she said. </p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>